How Hospital Swimming Pools Are Beneficial
Swimming pools are often associated with spas, hotels, community amenities and the backyard. But many other industries benefit significantly from having a pool within their facilities. Hospitals, for instance, increasing find that water therapy offers their patients numerous perks for health improvement; thus, the demand for their inclusion continues to grow.
What Is Hydrotherapy?
Did you know that water’s properties make for a suitable environment for healing? Several factors make it a convenient and welcoming tool to assist with specific patient struggles. The field, also known as hydrotherapy, continues to grow within the medical industry. In fact, the University of Michigan Health online provides an overview of water therapy’s positives.
Hospitals may have various forms such as small therapy pools, larger lap areas or even soaking baths. According to the Michigan Health site, pools allow for reduced weight strain. Water removes the force of the weight on the body, making it easier for people to move around and complete activities. In addition, it assists with circulation and can “store and heat energy.” These properties allow medical professionals to meet specific therapies that otherwise may be too difficult or cumbersome to explore.
What Is the Benefit of Pool Inclusion To Patients?
Many patients seek a hospital for long-term care not based on their location but for their staff’s expertise and the range of treatment options available. There are many reasons hospital administrators may look up pool builders near me. First of all, the additional resource of a pool could allow for more treatments, increasing their facility’s offerings and bolstering their employee skillset.
If an operation wants to increase health awareness, a larger indoor pool encourages staff and residents to use the building for exercise. Aerobic classes and group exercise may occur throughout the day, striving to teach better health habits.
Furthermore, drowning continues to remain a prevalent cause of childhood deaths. Pediatric staff offer youth swim training. According to the Centers for Disease Control, drowning ranks second among causes of unintentional injury death among kids ages 1 to 14. It remains the leading factor after birth defects for children 1 to 4. Swim training and water-saving life skills such as floating could minimize these occurrences, allowing hospitals to supply a service that prevents loss and protects health.
In addition, physical therapists may use pools to assist in their patient sessions. Those with muscle injuries may feel more at ease within the water, capable of moving their injured limbs there with less pain. By easing nerves and increasing mobility, you may find more people trying out the additional therapy sessions. They may prescribe salt and ice baths.
Patients that suffer from joint, bone and muscle conditions such as arthritis, muscular dystrophy and severe inflammation may find comfort in hydrotherapy sessions. Smaller baths allow for changes in temperature. According to Cleveland Clinic, cold water soaks could minimize swelling and pain; plus, it could boost the immune system. The hospital site also discusses the impact of warm water on the body. Doctors could use their warm water pools to help patients remove excess toxins from the body, relieve pain and improve circulation.
A study in the North American Journal of Medicine emphasized that winter swimming encouraged changes in mindset and focus: strengthening memory and mood while relieving stress and fatigue. The paper points out both asthma patients and those with fibromyalgia saw benefits. With a pool of staff, medical experts could assist others in exercising during the colder climate, developing these areas of lung and muscle strength.
Lounging around a pool sounds pretty heavenly at times. But pools aren’t just for vacations or respites from the busy world. They also prove valuable to hospitals in helping those with ailments get better and feel less pain. Hydrotherapy provides one more service to combat pain, discomfort and difficulties, giving facilities improved options and patients another chance to feel good and experience improvement. Don’t limit your options. Water could prove a great asset to your institution.
